periodica polytechnica

Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science
58/1 (2014) 2327
doi: 10.3311/PPee.6993

Derivation of Equations for Conductor

and Sag Curves of an Overhead Line
Based on a Given Catenary Constant
Alen Hatibovic

Creative Commons Attribution

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Received 2013-08-01, revised 2013-09-15, accepted 2013-09-16

Abstract
When the spans of an overhead line are large (for instance
over 400 metres) the conductor curve cannot be considered as a
parabola, since in that case the difference in comparison to the
catenary cannot be neglected. At such times the exact calculation has to be applied, i.e. the conductor curve has to be considered as a catenary (hyperbolic cosine). The catenary based calculation does not have limitations, it can be used for small and
large spans as well, but in comparison to the parabola method
it is significantly more complicated. This article shows the way
of derivation of new equations for the conductor and sag curves
based on a known catenary constant, which refers to the chosen conductor type, span length, tension and temperature of the
overhead line. The shown formulas ensure exact computing of
the conductor height and sag at any point of the span, avoiding errors generated by the approximation of the catenary by a
parabola.

1 Introduction

The catenary based calculation is generally used for high voltage overhead line (OHL) design, but in case of a medium or low
voltage network it is rarely done. A typical high voltage OHL is
shown in Figure 1.

Keywords
overhead lines catenary sag conductor curve inclined
span levelled span

Fig. 1. High voltage overhead line

Alen Hatibovic

Electrical network designer, PhD student, Szivrvny u. 40., H-6500 Baja,

Hungary
e-mail: hatibovic.alen@gmail.com

Equations for Conductor and Sag Curves of an Overhead Line

The existing professional literatures give a complete procedure for solving the equation of state and determination of the
catenary constant [2]. However, a coordinate system which has
an origin set at the vertex point of the conductor curve is generally in use, so the distance toward the left-hand or right-hand
side support of the span is measured from the vertex, in both directions with a positive sign [7]. This method is mathematically
not optimal for OHL design. For that reason this article uses a
new coordinate system with an origin set on the line of the lefthand side support, on the elevation of the bottom of the lowerstanding support of the span. This way, the y-coordinate of the
conductor curve presents the conductor height related to the xaxis, but its x-coordinate presents a horizontal distance from the

2014 58 1

23

Fig. 2. Catenary curves

Fig. 3. Catenary curve in an inclined span

left-hand side support. In addition, this approach will help to

recognize some mathematical similarities and differences easily
between the catenary and parabola. This is one of the advantages of the new coordinate system applied in this article.
There is a basic condition in connection with the definition
of the catenary, which says that the catenary constant should be
positive (c > 0). The catenary curve y1 shown in Figure 2 has
the following equation:
 x
y1 = c ch
, x (, )
(1)
c

yline (x) straight line between the suspension points

angle of the span inclination
The basic equation for the conductor curve in Figure 3 is the
following in the interval [0, S ]:

x x
MIN
c + y MIN , x [0, S ]
(3)
y(x) = c ch
c
Another version of the previous equation is (4) , but its exponential version is (5).
y(x) = 2c sh2

Hence the vertex of the catenary curve y1 is not located in the

origin (0; 0), as in the basic case of the parabola (y = x2 ), but it
is in point (0; c). If y1 curve is replaced so that its vertex is set in
the origin [1], the equation of the replaced curve y2 is given by
(2).
y2 = c ch

 x

c, x (, )
(2)
c
In order to present the conductor curve in a mathematically
convenient coordinate system for OHL design, the catenary
curve y2 has to be appropriately replaced both horizontally and
vertically [6], as it is shown in Figure 3 . The inclined span
has been deliberately chosen instead of the levelled one, so the
developed algorithm will be universal.
The following symbols are used in Figure 3:
A(0; h1 ) left-hand side suspension point
B(S ; h2 ) right-hand side suspension point

y(x) =

x x MIN
+ y MIN ,
2c


xx MIN
c  xxMIN
e c + e c
c + y MIN ,
2

x [0, S ]

x [0, S ]

(4)

(5)

All three equations are universal, i.e. they can be applied for
inclined and levelled spans as well, but for a concrete usage the
vertex point, i.e. the lowest point of the curve has to be determined previously. In comparison to the parabolic (quadratic)
equation for the conductor curve there is a significant difference,
since it can be defined even without knowing the vertex point of
the conductor curve [4].
2 Determination of the vertex point

The coordinates of the catenarys vertex point can be determined on the basis of the following input data: S , h1 , h2 , c. By
points A and B two equations in two unknowns can be written,
then the first equation has to be subtracted from the second one.

MIN(x MIN ; y MIN ) catenarys low point

C(xc ; yc ) conductors point with a maximal sag
S span length
Dmax maximal sag
y(x) conductor curve (catenary)

24

Per. Pol. Elec. Eng. and Comp. Sci.

x MIN
c + y MIN
c
S x MIN
h2 = c ch
c + y MIN
c
 S x
x MIN 
MIN
h2 h1 = c ch
ch
c
c
h1 = c ch

(6)
(7)
(8)

Alen Hatibovic

By the help of the identity (9) [8, 10] x MIN can be defined as
(11).
x+y
xy
sh
2
2
S 2x MIN
S
h2 h1 = 2c sh
sh
2c
2c
h2 h1
S
x MIN = c arsh
2
2c sh(S /2c)

ch(x) ch(y) = 2 sh

(9)
(10)
(11)

Using (11), the y MIN is obtained from (6) and transformed

into (14).

 x
MIN
1
y MIN = h1 c ch
c
2 x MIN
y MIN = h1 2c sh
#)
( 2c "
S
h2 h1
2 1

arsh
y MIN = h1 2c sh
2 2c
2c sh(S /2c)

(12)
(13)
(14)

Since the x MIN and y MIN are determined, the basic equation
(4) for the conductor curve can be completed to (15), but the final catenary equation is given by the expression (16). The actual
interval is [0, S ].

y(x) = 2c sh2

x x MIN
x MIN
+ h1 2c sh2
, x [0, S ] (15)
2c
2c

Fig. 4. Sag curve

span, i.e. increases from zero to maximum then decreases to

zero, going from the left-hand side support to the right-hand side
one. It can be appropriately described by the sag equation D(x)
as the function of x, where x varies from zero to the span length,
x [0, S ].
By the use of the equation for the conductor curve, the equation for the sag curve (shortly called as sag equation) can also
be obtained. It is necessary for the determination of the maximal sag location (xc ) within the span and its value (Dmax ). In
order to obtain that, first the equation of the straight line (yline )
passing through the suspension points A and B has to be defined
in the interval [0, S ], than subtract (3). The result provided is
the sag equation D(x), which is usable for the sag calculation at
any point of the span.
h2 h1
+ h1 ,
S
D(x) = yline (x) y(x),

(
y(x) = 2c sh
(
2 1
sh
2
2

"
#)
1
S
h2 h1
x + c arsh

2c
2
2c sh(S /2c)
"
#)!
S
h2 h1

arsh
+ h1 ,
2c
2c sh(S /2c)
x [0, S ]

yline =

(17)

x [0, S ]

(18)

(16)

With the help of the previous equation the conductor height

related to x-axis can be computed at any point of the span. Since
the terrain within the span frequently differs from x-axis, the
height of the terrain related to x-axis has to be taken into consideration when computing the ground clearance of the OHL.
Another important usage of the equation (16) is drawing the conductor curve.
The vertex point of the catenary is generally identical to the
lowest point of the conductor. However, there are special cases
of inclined spans when the vertex is out of the span and hence
differs from the lowest point of the conductor. At such times
the latter point is identical to the lower suspension point of the
span, but the coordinates of the catenarys vertex are still given
by (11), (14). However, the equation (16) is applicable in any
case, so it proves its universality.
3 Sag equation and characteristic sags
3.1 Derivation of the Sag Equation

The conductor sag is the distance measured vertically from

the conductor to the straight line (chord) joining two suspension
points of a span. Actually the sag varies in the interval of the
Equations for Conductor and Sag Curves of an Overhead Line

x [0, S ]

D(x) =

h2 h1
x + h1
S
x x MIN
c ch
+ c y MIN ,
c

x [0, S ]

(19)

The sag curve is shown in Figure 4. Differently to the conductor curve it has a maximum point.
3.2 Location of the maximal sag

Finding the first derivative of (19) and then solving the equation (21), the maximal sag location (xc ) within the span is obtained, then given by (24).
d D(x) h2 h1
x x MIN
=
sh
dx
S
c
d D(x)
= 0 xc
dx
h2 h1
xc x MIN
sh
=0
S
c
h2 h1
xc = x MIN + c arsh
S
"
#
S
h2 h1
h2 h1
xc = + c arsh
arsh
2
S
2c sh(S /2c)

2014 58 1

(20)
(21)
(22)
(23)
(24)

25

From (24) it is obvious that the maximal sag of the catenary

in an inclined span is not located at a mid-span, but it is moved
toward one of the two suspension points. Now there is a question
whether it is moved toward the higher or the lower one. The
answer to this question will be given here without the use of
numerical computation.
Denoting the second summand in (24) by q it gives the expression (25):
S
+q
(25)
2
Now let us assume that the maximal sag is moved from the
mid-span toward the higher suspension point and that the righthand side one is higher than the left-hand side one, i.e. assume
that relation (26) is valid and then check it mathematically step
by step.
xc =

if

h1 < h2

q>0

Summarizing (26), (34) and (35) the final conclusion of the

location of Dmax related to a mid-span, proved mathematically
here, is the following:
The maximal sag of the catenary conductor curve in a levelled
span is located at a mid-span, but in an inclined span it is moved
from a mid-span toward a higher suspension point.
This is one essential difference in comparison to the parabola,
since the maximal sag of the parabolic conductor curve is always
located at a mid-span, both in levelled and inclined spans as
well [3]. This feature effectively simplifies the parabola based
algorithms for overhead line design.
3.3 Characteristic sags

Putting xc into a sag equation the maximal sag is obtained.

The main steps of the deduction are the following:
Dmax = D(xc ) = yline (xc ) y(xc )

(26)

The initial conditions are given: S > 0, c > 0, h1 > 0, h2 > 0.

The main steps for checking the validity of the assumption given
by (26) are shown in the following lines:
"
#
h2 h1
h2 h1
c arsh
arsh
>0
(27)
S
2c sh(S /2c)
h2 h1
h2 h1
arsh
> arsh
(28)
S
2c sh(S /2c)
The inverse hyperbolic sine is a monotonic, strictly increasing
function [9], so
if

x2 > x1

arsh(x2 ) > arsh(x1 )

(29)

Applying (29) in (28) gives (30) which can deduce (32)

h2 h1
h2 h1
>
S
2c sh(S /2c)
1
1
>
S
2c sh(S /2c)
S /2c < sh(S /2c)

Dmax =

x>0

sh2

"
#
h2 h1 S
h2 h1
h2 h1
arsh
+ arsh

2S
2c
2c sh(S /2c)
S
!
( "
#)!
h2 h1
1
h2 h1
1
S
+ sh2
arsh

arsh
2
S
2 2c
2c sh(S /2c)

(37)

(38)

The previous expression is a formula for calculating the maximal sag of the catenary conductor curve in an inclined span.
Similarly, formulas (39) and (40) for the other characteristic sags
can be defined by the use of the basic sag equation (19).
Mid-span sag:

(30)

D(S /2) =

(31)
(32)

x < sh(x)

h2 h1
xc x MIN
xc + h1 c ch
+ c y MIN
S
c

Dmax = 2c

#
"
h2 h1
h2 h1
1
2c sh2 arsh

2
2
2c sh(S /2c)
#)!
( "
1 S
h2 h1
sh2

arsh
2 2c
2c sh(S /2c)

(39)

Sag at the lowest point of the conductor:

Since S /2c > 0 and taking into the consideration relation

(33), the previous one is valid.
if

(36)

"
#
h2 h1 S
h2 h1
D(x MIN ) = 2c
arsh
+
2S
2c
2c sh(S /2c)
(
)!!
1
h2 h1
S
sh2

arsh
,
2 2c
2c sh(S /2c)

(33)

In this way the validity of the assumption (26) is also proved.

The same process applied for cases h1 > h2 and h1 = h2 gives
further two relations:

0 x MIN S

(40)

4 Levelled spans

if

h1 > h2

q<0

(34)

if

h1 = h2

q=0

(35)

Thus the above question of the movement of Dmax has been

satisfactory answered. The previous relation refers to a levelled
span when there is no movement of Dmax .

26

In a levelled span the suspension points are on the same elevation (h1 = h2 = h). Actually, it is a simplification of an inclined
span. In this special case the equations for the conductor curve
(41), (42), (43) are simpler than the adequate ones in an inclined
span, since the lowest point (44) of the conductor is located at a
mid-span.

Per. Pol. Elec. Eng. and Comp. Sci.

Alen Hatibovic

x S /2
S
+ h,
ch
c
2c
!
x S /2
S
y(x) = 2c sh2
sh2
+ h,
2c
4c
!

y(x) = c ch

y(x) =

x [0, S ]

(41)

x [0, S ]

(42)

"
#
  S
xS /2 2
S 2
c  xS /2
e 2c e 2c
e 4c e 4c
+ h,
2

x [0, S ]
(43)

S 
MIN ; h 2c sh2
2
4c
S

(44)

The equation for the conductor sag in a levelled span is given

by the expressions (45), (46) or (47), but the formula for the
calculation of the maximal sag is (48).
!
S
x S /2
D(x) = c ch
,
ch
2c
c
!
2 x S /2
2 S
sh
,
D(x) = 2c sh
4c
2c

x [0, S ]

(45)

x [0, S ]

(46)

 xS /2
#
xS /2 2
S 2
c  S

D(x) = e 4c e 4c e 2c e 2c
, x [0, S ] (47)
2
Dmax = D(S /2) = D(x MIN ) = 2c sh2

S
4c

(48)

5 Future work

Complementing the existing knowledge, the shown formulas

provided in the new coordinate system give an opportunity for
further important research and mathematical analysis useful for
precise OHL design and more efficient education of the electrical network designers. There is a possibility for the further
works: finding the relationship between sags in levelled and inclined spans, a parabolic approximation of the catenary in inclined spans, inclined span modelling by a given levelled span,
etc.

maximal sag, mid-span sag and low point sag. On the basis
of the presented catenary sag formulas the last three sags are
different in an inclined span, but they are all equal in a levelled
span.
The following very important feature of the catenary is identified: the sag function of its curve replaced from interval [0, S ]
to [S /2, S /2] is an even function in case of a levelled span, but
in an inclined span it is neither an even nor odd function. Comparing it to the parabola this is another special difference, since
the adequate feature of the latter function says [5]: the parabolic
(quadratic) sag function of its curve replaced from interval [0, S ]
to [S /2, S /2] is an even function both in case of levelled and
inclined spans.
References
1 Sag-Tension Calculation Methods for Overhead Lines, CIGR Technical
Brochure No. 324, (2007). CIGR WG B2-12.
2 Douglass DA, Thrash R, Sag and Tension of Conductor, Taylor & Fransis
Group LLC., 2006.
3 Hatibovic A, Determination of the Lowest Point of the Conductor in Inclined Spans Based on a Known Maximal Sag of the Parabola, CIRED
22nd International Conference on Electricity Distribution, (2013), 14, DOI
10.1049/cp.2013.0583.
4 Hatibovic A, Integral Calculus Usage for Conductor Length Determination
on the Basis of Known Maximal Sag of a Parabola, Periodica Polytechnica
Electrical Engineering, 56(2), (2012), DOI 10.3311/PPee.7076.
5 Hatibovic A, Parabolic Equation for Conductor Sag in Levelled and Inclined
Spans, 13th International Conference on Energetics-Electrical Engineering,
(2012), 8489.
6 Larson R, Hosteler R, Edwards BH, Essential Calculus Early Transcendental Functions, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008.
7 Rashid MH, Power Electronics Handbook, Elsevier, 2011.
8 Weir MD, Hass J, Thomas Calculus, Pearson, 2010.
9 http://adattar.vmmi.org/konyvek/220/03_halmazok,_relaciok,
_fuggvenyek.pdf.
10 http://perso.univ-rennes1.fr/maximilian.bauer/AN1/
fonctions_hyperboliques.pdf.

6 Conclusions

Beside the determination of the new equations for the conductor and sag curves some characteristic differences between
the catenary and parabola have been revealed. Pre-eminently it
should be mentioned that the method referring to defining the
equation for the conductor curve significantly differs in the case
of parabolic and catenary approach. While for the catenary the
coordinates of the vertex point are necessary initial data, for
parabola they are not.
It has been shown that by the use of the new catenary equation
the direction of the catenarys maximal sag movement from the
mid-span can be determined with symbolic computation.
By the help of the basic sag equation provided in the article
for sag calculation at an arbitrary point of a span, the special
sag formulas are obtained for computing of characteristic sags:
Equations for Conductor and Sag Curves of an Overhead Line

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